When reports of the luxury yacht's capsizing began to emerge on Monday morning - immediate thoughts turned to survivors - "please let everyone be okay," people thought. But news of the first death - Recaldo Thomas - the talented on-board chef with an extensive yachting career - came within hours of the incident. This was a tragedy from the beginning.
Following news of Recaldo's body being pulled from the water came the names of the missing and with that, the rescue mission countdown began. Time was not on their side, but they were to do their best and stay hopeful. In Porticello, we watched an army of emergency services assemble on the harbourside.
Coastguard members, search and rescue teams including divers, police officers and members of the fire service - all of their vehicles parked bumper to bumper. Tents were erected with desks and chairs within the hour. In the scorching heat, they started their delicate work.
Meanwhile the port side opposite swelled with onlookers. A tiny fishing village became the centre of a rescue effort with international interest overnight. The media presence was sizable but so was the local people's pack too.
The village of Porticello is quaint and picturesque. Read more: Who was on the sunken superyacht? Potential manslaughter being investigated in superyacht sinking It's famous for fishing and little else - there's a cafe and two restaurants on the square. You can't find a pharmacy or supermarket within a four-mile radius.
It's tiny and relati.